Removal from core mold part of tubular injection molded plastic product formed with two open ends

• US 7,077,989 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sorensen Research & Development Trust
• Original Assignee: Sorensen Research & Development Trust
• Inventors: Sorensen, Jens Ole, Brown, Paul Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Colaianni, Michael P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUSON, MONICA ANNE
• Application Number:
  US11/140,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 264/163
• US Class Current: 264/163
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0046 Details relating to the filling pattern or flow paths or flow characteristics of moulding material in the mould cavity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/006 Joining parts moulded in separate cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/43 using fluid under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/20 Flexible squeeze tubes, e.g. for cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/565 for containers

Abstract

A hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product is removed from a core mold part by closing the threaded end of the molded product and injecting compressed air into the molded product to loosen the molded product from the core mold part. The threaded end of the product is closed by attaching a closure having a matching thread onto the threaded end.

Claims

1. A process of removing an injection-molded hollow plastic product with a substantially tubular section, two open ends and a thread at the outside of one end of the product from a core mold part after the threaded end of the molded product has been opened by removal of a portion of the threaded end of the molded product, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) closing the threaded end of the molded product after the threaded end of the molded product has been opened to the core mold part by removal of the portion of the threaded end of the molded product from the molded product; and

(b) at least subsequently to step (a), injecting compressed air into the molded product to loosen the molded product from the core mold part.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

(c) attaching a closure having a matching thread onto the threaded end of the product.

3. A process according to claim 2, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(d) robotically using a robotic arm to attach the threaded closure onto the threaded end of the product.

4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the robotic arm includes the threaded closure.

5. A process according to claim 2, wherein the threaded closure is a plastic cap.

6. A process according to claim 5, further comprising the step of:

(d) injection molding the plastic cap in the injection molding system in which the product is injection molded.

7. A process according to claim 6, wherein step (d) comprising the step of:

(e) injection molding plastic caps at the same average rate as the products are injection molded.